Fulfilling a Life-long Desire

I remember wanting to be a songwriter way back in my teens when thinking about what you want to be when you grow up. I have some old pamphlets from the 70s to prove that it was in my mind that long ago. The journey from then to now has been a story of straying from dreams to fulfillment. 

I think the reason I didn't pursue it was because I wasn't a musician. I couldn't play an instrument though I took piano lessons, shared a piano as home, and took chorus in junior high school. It was like the decision I made to give up guitar after college. I took classical guitar lessons and could play by reading notes, but I didn't have that natural ability.

But I am a writer. And I am a music lover. And I love to listen to singer-songwriters. Carole King, Tracey Chapman, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and the list goes on. I

So in the spirit of living a creative life, I had this urge to pursue songwriting. These songs have been brewing since going through some heartache recently. Isn't that usually the case? I had written poems, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew they would become songs. 

Now, how to do this if you are not a musician and don't play or have a musical instrument? INTERNET: Google Songwriting. And I found a wonderful program called HookTheory.com. It looks like a creation of millennials who figured out how to teach music theory digitally and create songs via software.  I bought their book first and was very amazed at how much I learned through this interactive ebook. I tried out their website which you can do for free. Then I was hooked. I was able to write my first song, but in order to use the lyrics feature, I had to subscribe. Yes, they got me for $4.99 a month, but it has been so worth it. So far I have written 4 songs.

I wish I could tell if they were any good. The people I share it with are very kind. There is really no way to know since there are so many genres and styles what is one person's preference may not be another's. And now what to do with them? The creative experience is wonderful and where I lose track of time and could go on and on. But there is also a need to share. So at some point, I will find a way to share.